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sciotopost.com
· 2025-12-08
De-love Kofi Amuzu, 25, of Ohio, was sentenced to 78 months in prison for laundering money from a romance fraud conspiracy targeting elderly victims seeking companionship online. The scheme involved creating fake dating profiles to deceive victims into sending substantial cash, items, and wire transfers totaling over $1.1 million, which Amuzu then transferred to Ghana accounts. Several victims lost so much money they were forced into bankruptcy, and Amuzu has been ordered to pay $835,487.65 in restitution.
foreignaffairs.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary of this content. The text appears to be a website footer or navigation page rather than an article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. It contains only site metadata, company information, and redirect links with no substantive information about fraudulent activity or elder fraud to summarize.
Please provide an actual article or transcript related to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse for me to summarize.
kfiz.com
· 2025-12-08
June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month, highlighting that while consumers over 60 lose money to scams less frequently than younger people, they lose significantly larger amounts when victimized—averaging nearly $1,000 compared to under $500 for those under 60. Common scams targeting seniors include grandparent scams (using impersonation and AI voice cloning), Medicare scams during enrollment periods, and tech support scams falsely claiming to be from Apple or Microsoft. The article provides prevention strategies for each scam type and guidance on how to supportively help victims by responding with empathy, listening to their experience, validating their story, and assisting with reporting and recovery steps.
whittierdailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
Over 200,000 cases of elder abuse are reported annually in California, with financial exploitation being a criminal act punishable by up to four years of jail and civil damages for victims. The article illustrates how seniors become vulnerable to financial exploitation—not through incompetence but through loneliness, boredom, and lack of awareness of current market values—using a real example of a realtor attempting to pressure an elderly man into selling his home well below market value. The author recommends establishing financial decision-making rules for seniors, including comparison shopping and understanding current costs, along with resources like the California elder abuse hotline (1-877-4R-SENIORS) for reporting suspicious activity.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by announcing a partnership between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to combat fraud targeting older citizens. The agencies will hold a public town hall on June 20, 2024, to educate seniors about recognizing and preventing fraud schemes, including tech support scams, romance scams, and Social Security impostor fraud. The Justice Department emphasizes that awareness and information are key to protecting vulnerable populations from financial, physical, and psychological harm.
wbko.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reports a significant surge in elder fraud, with $1.6 billion in losses from January to May 2024—nearly $300 million more than the same period in 2023—and warns that 2023 saw elder fraud complaints rise 14% resulting in $3.4 billion in annual losses. Common scams targeting seniors include tech support, romance, investment, and government impersonation schemes, which cause financial and psychological harm to vulnerable populations. The FBI recommends victims and potential targets verify unknown contacts, resist urgency tactics, avoid sharing personal information with unverified sources, and report suspected fraud to local FBI offices or IC3.gov.
dailyfreeman.com
· 2025-12-08
Cyber scams targeting the elderly are increasing, with common tactics including fake Microsoft security alerts, spoofed text messages from banks, Social Security impersonation calls, and phishing schemes to steal tax refunds. Elderly individuals are particularly vulnerable due to their trust in government agencies and legitimate-sounding callers. The author emphasizes that individuals must learn to verify communications and remain suspicious, as government agencies struggle to combat scammers operating globally and often from foreign nation-states.
cedars-sinai.org
· 2025-12-08
Healthcare scams targeting vulnerable populations—including older adults, new mothers, surgery patients, and people with chronic conditions—have caused Americans to lose $10.3 billion to internet fraud in 2022 alone. Common scams involve impersonators contacting victims via phone, text, or email to steal personal information, banking details, or convince them to wire money by creating a sense of panic about their healthcare coverage. To protect yourself, verify caller identity before sharing sensitive information, read communications carefully for red flags, avoid clicking suspicious links, and contact your healthcare provider directly if you're unsure about any request.
columbiabasinherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Grant County Sheriff's Office received at least six reports on June 5 of phone scams where callers impersonated deputies demanding money deposits to avoid arrest using spoofed numbers. Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman emphasized that legitimate law enforcement never calls to demand payment for fines or warrants, and advised residents to verify caller identity by contacting agencies directly, keep antivirus software updated, and report suspected scams immediately—noting that one senior citizen lost $60,000 before realizing the fraud, with little chance of recovery.
abccolumbia.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS has issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting South Carolina seniors, in which fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) or businesses to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. Scammers use tactics including caller ID spoofing, fabricated claims of debts or prizes, pressure for immediate action with threats of arrest or deportation, and demands for payment through cryptocurrency, wire transfers, gift cards, or payment apps. The IRS advises recipients of unexpected calls to hang up immediately, avoid returning calls to provided numbers, verify communications directly with the IRS at 800-829-1040, and report suspected sc
stuttgartdailyleader.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting seniors, in which fraudsters pose as government officials from the IRS, Social Security Administration, and Medicare to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers use tactics such as spoofed caller IDs, fabricated urgent scenarios (false tax debts or prize claims), and demands for immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to pressure victims into quick compliance. The IRS recommends that anyone receiving unexpected calls from alleged IRS representatives should hang up immediately and verify any claims by calling the official IRS customer service line at 800-829-1040.
richmond.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary of this content. The text provided is simply a list of country names and their official designations, not an article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse.
Please provide an actual article or transcript about a fraud case, scam, or elder abuse incident, and I'll be happy to summarize it according to the Elderus database guidelines.
spectrumnews1.com
· 2025-12-08
Madeline Sprints fell victim to a parking lot distraction theft scam in Los Angeles where criminals stole three credit cards from her purse and attempted $10,000 in fraudulent charges, prompting her to join the Stop Senior Scams Acting Program to educate other seniors. According to the FBI, adults over 60 lost $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023 (an 11% increase from 2022), with common scams including grandparent scams, romance scams through dating apps, and tech support scams. The FBI recommends never responding to unsolicited contact and reporting scams to local FBI offices or the Internet Crime Complaint Center
post-journal.com
· 2025-12-08
Medicare will never initiate calls to you—if you receive an unsolicited call claiming to be from Medicare, it is a scam. The NY Statewide Senior Action Council and NYS Senior Medicare Patrol offer educational resources and fraud detection assistance to help seniors protect their Medicare information and identify potential scams. A Senior Safety Summit held in Chautauqua County on June 21 provided seniors an opportunity to connect with representatives from law enforcement, consumer protection, social services, and elder law organizations to learn fraud prevention strategies and address personal safety concerns.
fox5atlanta.com
· 2025-12-08
Georgia ranks among the highest states for elder fraud, with seniors losing over $92 million to scams in 2023 alone, as part of a national crisis where the Department of Justice handled over 300 cases recovering more than $1 billion from scammers targeting over 2 million people. The U.S. Attorney for Northern Georgia highlighted common fraud schemes, including jury duty scams that impersonate law enforcement and demand payment via phone, gift cards, or bitcoin. Experts advise seniors to verify requests by calling authorities directly before sending money and to recognize that legitimate law enforcement never demands payment over the phone.
theconversation.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans age 60 and older lost more than $3 billion to scammers, with elder fraud complaints to the FBI increasing 14% year-over-year, though actual losses are likely much higher due to underreporting and unreported incidents. Older adults are particularly vulnerable because they tend to be more trusting, have accumulated savings and good credit, and may lack familiarity with technology, making them attractive targets for tech-support scams, romance schemes, investment fraud, and call-center operations. Prevention through education on identifying and reporting fraud is critical to mitigating this epidemic's financial and psychological consequences.
ourlocalcommunityonline.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS warns of increasing impersonation scams targeting older adults, where scammers pose as the IRS or other agencies via phone, email, or text to steal personal information and money. Scammers pressure victims into immediate payments through gift cards or wire transfers by claiming false tax liabilities or refunds, using tactics like caller ID spoofing to appear legitimate. The IRS clarifies that it typically initiates contact by mail, never demands immediate payment via prepaid cards or wire transfers, and never threatens law enforcement involvement or requests payment without allowing dispute opportunities.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This article provides guidance on avoiding phone scams, which cost Americans $851 million in 2023 according to the FTC. The primary recommendation is to never answer calls from unknown numbers—instead, let them go to voicemail and verify legitimacy afterward. The article explains common scam tactics (spoofed caller IDs, personal information, urgency triggers) and advises using phone settings to automatically silence unknown callers, noting that scammers can successfully spoof even recognizable company names and that consumers should not overestimate their ability to outsmart experienced fraudsters.
lakesarearadio.net
· 2025-12-08
The Becker County Sheriff's Department is hosting a public educational presentation at Frazee Care Center on senior scams and prevention strategies, designed for seniors and the general public. Interested attendees can contact the facility's director for additional details about the event.
kitchener.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Between June 14-17, 2024, Ontario Provincial Police investigated three connected scams targeting seniors in Wellington County in which perpetrators called victims claiming their grandson had been arrested in a car crash and demanded bail money. Two seniors were defrauded—one losing $3,000 and another losing $7,000—after a man posing as a bail bondsman arrived at their homes to collect cash. Police are seeking information about the suspect, described as a Black man in his late 30s with dreadlocks and business casual clothing.
the-dispatch.com
· 2025-12-08
In honor of Elder Abuse Day on June 15, the North Carolina Senior Consumer Fraud Task Force held a press conference to raise awareness about elder financial fraud and launched new resources to help seniors report scams, including a fraud prevention video and a new 2-1-1 statewide phone number for reporting suspected financial scams. The task force, which now includes the N.C. Association on Aging, is distributing information through senior centers across the state, noting that Americans lost a record $10 billion to fraud in 2023 according to the Federal Trade Commission.
transylvaniatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
The Internal Revenue Service has issued a warning about rising IRS impersonation scams targeting seniors in North Carolina, where fraudsters pose as government officials to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. These scams employ sophisticated tactics including spoofed caller IDs, fabricated claims of outstanding debts or prize winnings, and demands for immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The IRS advises that it does not initiate contact via email, text, or social media, and provides reporting resources and verification phone numbers for taxpayers uncertain about communications they receive.
adirondackdailyenterprise.com
· 2025-12-08
This letter warns seniors about a phone scam targeting Medicare beneficiaries, in which callers falsely claim to verify information about new plastic Medicare cards and request personal details over the phone. The author received such a call from South Dakota and refused to provide information, noting that plastic Medicare cards do not exist. The warning highlights the importance of not sharing personal information with unsolicited callers claiming to represent Medicare.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
On June 15, 2024, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Kentucky observed World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, highlighting that one in ten people over 60 experiences some form of elder abuse, with an estimated $28.3 billion lost annually to elder fraud scams. In 2023, Kentucky's FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center received 908 complaints from individuals over 60 reporting $12.8 million in losses, more than any other age group combined. The Justice Department brought nearly 300 criminal and civil actions against over 650 defendants in the past year who stole more than $1.5 billion from 2.4
enquirerjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
North Carolina's Senior Consumer Fraud Task Force released a new 23-minute fraud prevention video and expanded resources to combat rising scams targeting seniors, following World Elder Abuse Day in June. According to the FTC, Americans lost a record $10 billion to fraud in 2023 with a median loss of $500, with scammers increasingly targeting smaller amounts to avoid law enforcement detection. The state now offers simplified reporting through a dial-211 hotline, the N.C. Attorney General's fraud hotline, and AARP's Fraud Watch helpline to help victims recognize and report fraud without shame.
localnewsonly.com
· 2025-12-08
In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the FBI Dallas released findings from the 2023 Elder Fraud Report showing that elder fraud complaints increased 14% with reported losses totaling over $3.4 billion, averaging $33,915 per victim, with Texas accounting for over 7,000 complaints and $278.3 million in losses. Tech support scams were the most commonly reported elder fraud type in 2023, followed by personal data breaches, romance scams, non-payment/non-delivery scams, and investment scams. The FBI identified a formulaic tech support scam pattern where victims' computers are frozen with pop-ups claiming illegal activity, then
wjla.com
· 2025-12-08
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day highlights key strategies for protecting seniors from fraud and scams. Experts recommend measures such as verifying caller identities, protecting personal information, monitoring financial accounts, and maintaining open communication with trusted family members to prevent elder fraud and abuse.
newsroom.uvahealth.com
· 2025-12-08
A UVA Health geriatrician warns that seniors face an epidemic of fraud, with Americans ages 60 and older losing more than $3 billion to scams in 2023, often orchestrated by dedicated call centers. She recommends seniors verify unsolicited offers through online searches, remain skeptical of urgent requests, and report suspected fraud without shame, as scammers continuously evolve their tactics faster than seniors can adapt.
says.com
· 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old accountant from Johor lost RM2.27 million to a WhatsApp investment scam that operated from December to June, where scammers promised high returns and instructed him to download an app and transfer funds through multiple transactions. After the victim refused to pay an additional RM1.6 million commission to access alleged profits of RM12.9 million, he reported the fraud to police, who are investigating under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonesty.
shorenewsnetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old woman in Queens, NY lost approximately $15,500 to a scammer impersonating a Chase Bank representative who convinced her that her account had been hacked. The perpetrator visited her home in person via taxi to collect the cash before fleeing, and police are actively investigating the incident.
weareiowa.com
· 2025-12-08
Elderly Iowans lost over $16 million to scams in the past year, with FBI data showing this is likely underreported and mirrors rising national trends among seniors. Investment scams pose the greatest financial threat to older adults, while newer schemes like phantom hacker scams convince victims to convert assets to precious metals and cash for supposed protection. The FBI advises victims to contact their financial institutions immediately to freeze assets, avoid clicking unsolicited links, verify government officials independently, and report incidents to law enforcement.
uintacountyherald.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS issued a warning to residents about scams specifically targeting seniors, alerting the public to fraudulent schemes that impersonate tax authorities to exploit older adults. The warning highlights the prevalence of IRS-related fraud targeting this vulnerable population and aims to increase awareness of these deceptive practices.
foxreno.com
· 2025-12-08
The Reno Police Department reported an uptick in scams targeting local residents and hosted a senior awareness session covering various fraud types, including ATM skimmers, fraudulent checks, and impersonation schemes that have resulted in losses of hundreds of thousands of dollars. The session provided protective measures such as monitoring credit card statements, inspecting currency and checks for signs of fraud, and remembering that legitimate law enforcement never requests payment information over phone, text, or email.
sandmountainreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The Alabama Securities Commission released guidance on identifying and reporting elder financial abuse in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The FBI estimates seniors lost $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, and Alabama has seen a significant increase in reported cases, rising from 90 in 2022 to 215 in the current year. The ASC advises staying connected with elderly relatives, watching for warning signs such as sudden isolation or new acquaintances interested in finances, and contacting authorities at 800-222-1253 to report suspected exploitation.
mb.com.ph
· 2025-12-08
Scammers increasingly target older adults through deceptive text messages and calls impersonating government agencies, family members, and romantic interests, exploiting the belief that seniors have substantial savings and are less tech-savvy. The article identifies three main fraud types—government impersonation, family-related, and romance scams—and advises seniors to avoid clicking links, sharing personal information, or taking immediate action; instead, they should verify claims directly with banks or family members using known contact numbers. With 9.22 million Filipinos aged 60 and above, educating elders about these scams is critical, as even unreported fraud can be devastating and leave victims in vulnerable financial positions.
ocregister.com
· 2025-12-08
Alice Lin, an 81-year-old California woman, lost her entire life savings of $720,000 to a cryptocurrency scam after being convinced by a stranger on a messaging app to make seven bank transfers over three weeks. Her case prompted her to work with Consumer Attorneys of California to support Senate Bill 278, which would require banks to delay transactions over $5,000 for at least three days if they suspect elder fraud, train employees to recognize red flags, and notify designated emergency contacts or joint account holders. The bill, sponsored by Senator Bill Dodd, has passed the California Senate with support from major senior advocacy groups, though it faced initial opposition from banking and business lobbies over concerns about over
cbs8.com
· 2025-12-08
A 79-year-old Navy veteran in Poway, California, lost $15,000 in a door-to-door landscaping scam in which fraudsters quoted him $10 per bag of mulch, then inflated the invoice to $19,000 (claiming 1,900 bags) after completing the work and pressuring him into payment. The victim reported the incident to law enforcement and the Contractors License Board, and later discovered through community posts that the same scam operation, operating under the name "Danilo Martinez Landscaping," had targeted other residents in the area with identical tactics.
thesylvaherald.com
· 2025-12-08
North Carolina's fraud watchdogs warned of rising scams targeting seniors, with particular focus on financial elder abuse during World Elder Abuse Month in June. The N.C. Senior Consumer Fraud Task Force released a 23-minute fraud prevention video and streamlined reporting resources, including a new 2-1-1 hotline for victims to access appropriate assistance and a Department of Justice no-scam line (1-877-5-NO-SCAM) for reporting fraud. Officials emphasized that scammers impersonate government, law enforcement, and family members to steal money and information, and urged older adults to verify identities before sharing information over phone, email, text, or
midhudsonnews.com
· 2025-12-08
During Elder Abuse Awareness Month in June, Sullivan County officials warned of increased fraud incidents since COVID-19, highlighting common scams including romance scams, lottery schemes, and impersonations of Social Security, the IRS, and banks that pressure victims to send money via prepaid gift cards. According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, elder fraud losses reached $1.6 billion from January to May 2024 (up nearly $300 million year-over-year), with 2023 reporting $3.4 billion in total losses and a 14 percent increase in elder fraud complaints. Officials advised recognizing warning signs such as isolated elderly individuals engaging in frequent online or phone
theitem.com
· 2025-12-08
The Internal Revenue Service warned South Carolina seniors about a rising trend of impersonation scams targeting older adults who are deceived by fraudsters posing as government officials or IRS agents. Scammers use manipulated caller IDs, fabricated claims of tax debts or lottery winnings, and pressure tactics demanding immediate payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to steal personal information and money. The IRS advises recipients of suspicious calls to hang up immediately and verify legitimacy by calling official IRS customer service at 800-829-1040 rather than returning the scammer's call.
cobbcountycourier.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans age 60 and older lost more than $3 billion to scammers in 2023, with elder fraud complaints to the FBI increasing 14% that year, though actual losses are likely underreported due to embarrassment and incomplete age data. Older adults are particularly vulnerable because they tend to be more trusting, have financial assets, and may be less comfortable with technology; tech-support scams are most common, while investment scams cause the largest losses. Prevention through education on identifying scams, reporting crimes, and building awareness is critical to combating this growing epidemic and mitigating its traumatic psychological effects on victims.
cbs19news.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud has reached epidemic proportions, with the FBI reporting $1.6 billion in losses between January and May of this year—a $300 million increase from the previous year—and a 14% surge in elder fraud complaints in 2023. Criminal actors increasingly target older adults because they perceive them as vulnerable and trusting, with the most common schemes being tech support, romance, investment, and government impersonation scams. Geriatrician Dr. Laurie Archbald-Pannone recommends seniors verify unsolicited offers through online searches and report scams immediately without shame, as victim numbers rose 209% and financial losses surged 419% between 2
calmatters.org
· 2025-12-08
Governor Newsom vetoed California Senate Bill 278, which would have required banks to delay transactions over $5,000 for at least three days if they suspected elder fraud and to notify designated emergency contacts. The veto came despite the bill's passage through the Senate with support from senior advocacy groups like AARP, after 81-year-old Alice Lin lost her entire $720,000 life savings to a cryptocurrency scam despite multiple red flags at her bank. Newsom cited concerns that the bill could prevent legitimate access to funds and stated it needs further legal review to balance consumer protection with individual rights.
hive.rochesterregional.org
· 2025-12-08
Healthcare scams are proliferating across text messages, emails, and phone calls, targeting patients, staff, and executives alike through phishing links, voice imitation AI, and spoofed domains designed to mimic legitimate healthcare providers. Common tactics include malicious QR codes, fake multifactor authentication prompts, and business email compromise schemes where scammers build relationships with executives to request unauthorized payments. To protect yourself, verify sender domains carefully, question unexpected messages, and be wary of urgent requests containing links or attachments.
tbrnewsmedia.com
· 2025-12-08
**Type:** Educational Event/Awareness Program
State Senator Anthony Palumbo and Assemblyman Ed Flood are hosting a Senior Scam Prevention Program at Brightview Port Jefferson Senior Living on June 20 to educate seniors and caregivers about fraud prevention. According to the FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report, over 101,000 seniors reported fraud with average losses of $33,915 per person, and those over 60 lost $3.4 billion total in 2023, with tech support scams, data breaches, romance scams, and investment scams being the most common types. The program, developed in collaboration with the
panhandlenewsnetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Navy veteran from Charles Town, West Virginia, lost nearly $2 million to his caretaker Sam Bunner, who used a power of attorney to drain the victim's bank, investment accounts, and sell his real estate while exploiting the elderly man's cognitive decline; Bunner received a 10-year federal prison sentence. The opinion piece by U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld outlines common elder fraud schemes in West Virginia, including caretaker theft, romance scams, tech support schemes, and family member theft, and recommends protective measures such as resisting pressure to act quickly, avoiding sending money to online contacts, carefully granting power of attorney, using tru
6abc.com
· 2025-12-08
"Crash for Cash" is a growing insurance fraud scheme in the United States where perpetrators intentionally cause vehicle accidents by running into drivers or slamming on brakes, then file fraudulent injury claims against the victims and insurance companies. This scam costs Americans an estimated $45 billion annually in property and casualty fraud, raising insurance premiums by approximately $900 per consumer per year. Experts recommend installing high-quality dash cameras as a deterrent and practicing attentive driving to protect against becoming a victim of these staged accidents.
sctonline.net
· 2025-12-08
The IRS issued a warning about a surge in impersonation scams targeting seniors nationwide, particularly in Mississippi, where fraudsters pose as government officials to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers use sophisticated tactics including spoofed caller IDs, false claims of tax debt or lottery winnings, and pressure for immediate payment via gift cards or wire transfers. The IRS advises seniors to hang up on unexpected calls, verify contact through official channels at 800-829-1040, and report suspicious communications to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
lbpost.com
· 2025-12-08
An 81-year-old Alhambra woman lost her entire $720,000 life savings to a romance scam involving cryptocurrency after a stranger befriended her via messaging app, with her bank failing to flag the suspicious transactions despite red flags. In response, she partnered with consumer advocates to sponsor Senate Bill 278, which would require California banks to delay transactions over $5,000 by three days if elder fraud is suspected, train staff to recognize warning signs, and notify designated emergency contacts or joint account holders of suspected fraud. The bill has passed the Senate with support from senior advocacy groups, though financial institutions initially opposed it citing concerns about liability and operational constraints before recent amendments eased their position.
messagemedia.co
· 2025-12-08
The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting seniors, where fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) to steal personal information and money through pressure tactics and threats of arrest or deportation. Scammers demand immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or payment apps while manipulating caller IDs to appear legitimate; the IRS emphasizes it never demands immediate payment through these methods and advises recipients of suspicious calls to hang up and contact IRS customer service directly at 800-829-1040 to verify legitimacy.